“Especiallytonight. You said you were short-handed. Charlotte and I have to head out in searchof some dresses, so–”
“Dresses, yousay?” Cresley inquired. “What sort?”
“Fancy ones,for a big party over at The Siren’s Call,” Lottie told him with ahuff and rolled her blue eyes.
“Ah, yes, thatone,” the tall, slender man said knowingly and rubbed his chin.“Wallace is well known for her annual Yule Dinner and Dance.” Hegave a friendly chuckle. “Seems to get bigger and fancier eachyear. I imagine you lovely ladies will be wantin’ beautiful gowns.Any ol’ dress just won’t do. Especially with your lovely belly toconsider.”
I rubbed ahand over my large stomach. “Yes, but we can’t exactly be picky onsuch short notice. The party is in a few hours.”
Mister Cresleyshook his head. “Nonsense. I’ll have my driver take you to awonderful tailor with the most magnificent formal wear. She’ll fityou on the spot.” The old man’s eyes glistened as he grinnedwidely. “She’ll make you look like queens.”
Lottie and Iexchanged a look of surprise before I turned back to our new friendwith a grin.
“Soundsperfect.”
***
MisterCresley’s personal driver, anextremely tall and broad man, much the same build as Henry, happilydrove the carriage through Southampton toward Market Square. Hewent around another way than Lottie and I had earlier, leading thehorse-drawn buggy to the upperarea where the apothecary was and the fancier stores. I glanced outthe quaint little window as we circled the large stone fountainwhich sat in the center and came to a stop. The carriage jostled asthe driver jumped down from his seat and graciously opened the doorfor us. I gripped his outstretched hand tightly as I stepped downto the cobblestone below.
“Thank you,” Itold him and smiled.
He turned andhelped Lottie out. “You’re most welcome, Miss. The store MisterCresley spoke about is just right there.”
I followed hismotioned gaze toward the storefront I spotted before, with thestunning silk dresses and glistening jewelry boasting in the largewindow.
“Madam Guthrieis the best there is. They says she can work magic with those ol’fingers of hers. You’re in good hands, I reckon. And you needn’tworry. Take your time, I shall await your return right here.” Hetipped his flat cap and jumped back up in his seat with ease.
Lottie raisedher thin blonde brows. “Well, she’d best have magic fingers to finda fancy dress to my liking.” She looped her arm through mine andled us toward the shop. “Bloody fabric prisons, they are. Too big.Always have to be watchin’ where you step so the dress doesn’tknock things over. Ridiculous.”
My friendheaved on the heavy wooden door; the tiny bell hung overheadjingling as she did. We stepped inside, taken aback by the endlessrows of hung garments and vertical displays of handbags and otheraccessories. Mesmerizing jewel tones painted a dark rainbowthroughout the space, reflecting the ample lantern light with silksand other radiant textiles.
“How can Ihelp you two beauties?” a croaky old smoker’s voice sounded fromthe back of the shop.
We stood andwatched as the wave of movement made its way through the stacks ofbags and layers of hung garments until the body of a tiny old womanemerged in front of us. She couldn’t have been more than four feettall. Cream colored silks hung loosely from her teeny frame, herneck adorned with rows and rows of pearls. A pair of dainty, wiredframed specs sat in the bridge of her long nose. The woman was likesomething out of a children’s fairy tale. The quirky and wise oldlady.
“MadamGuthrie, I presume?” I offered my hand and she took it, theabnormally long and crooked fingers of hers wrapping aroundmine.
“Yes,” shecroaked happily and squinted up at our faces. “Let me guess, you’rein need of dresses for tonight’s Yule Dinner and Dance.”
Lottie’s facepaled as her widened eyes looked to me. Unable to hide my ownsurprise at the woman’s perception, I let out a laugh. “You’re aswise as you appear, Madam. You would be correct. But, as you canimagine, we need something quick.”
Lottie caughtsight of something to our right and she pointed to a small sectionof menswear. “And perhaps a couple of men’s suits, as well.”
“Certainly,”she replied. “Do you know their measurements?”
“I can take aguess,” Lottie told her and shrugged. “For Augustus, anyway.”
The two womenawaited my response and I chewed at my bottom lip in thought. Henrywould definitely need something to wear. And he’d be out takingcare of Wallace’s favor until the party. But I didn’t have thefaintest idea what his measurements were. I glanced out the windowat our carriage and grinned.
“Would youmind fetching the driver?” I asked Lottie.
She didn’tseem to understand but asked no questions, regardless. She ranoutside, blonde hair swaying back and forth as she did, and Iwatched as my friend chatted with the driver for a quick moment andthen returned with him. His large frame entered the shop and hepolitely removed his hat, holding it to his chest.
“Is everythingalright, Miss White?”
I still wasn’tused to that, hearing Henry’s true name spoken with such ease. Ididn’t bother to correct him, to say that I’d yet to inherit thename. I smiled. “I never did get your name.”
“Cillian,Miss.”
“Cillian,you’re just about the same height and build as my fiancé, Henry.” Ipaused to laugh. “Would you mind trying on some garments forme?”
He appearedhesitant, but dutifully accepted with a nod. “Of course, Miss.”
I made amental note to give Cillian a nice tip when we arrived back at theDen. Madam Guthrie showed us an array of options for men’s suits,pulling them out from piles and racks of bottomless clothing. Sheseemed to know every single article of cloth in the shop and wewatched with amusement as her tiny body sometimes disappeared amongthe hanging dresses and jackets. Finally, after poor Cillian hadtried on a dozen outfits, I had found the perfect suit for Henry. Black cotton trousers, blackleather vest and matching pea coat that fit snuggly over a
